Hezbollah's new leader declares preparedness for prolonged warfare against Israel

In his inaugural address as Hezbollah's secretary general, Sheikh Naim Qassem emphasized the group's readiness for extended conflict with Israel, asserting that they possess the necessary capabilities for prolonged battlefield warfare.

“The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the aggression of the Zionist regime will be definitive and painful,” he stated and warned of a significant Western-backed scheme aimed at dominating the region, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

Qassem affirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to upholding the legacy of the late Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, stating, “We will continue to implement the war plan laid out by Seyed Nasrallah,” and reiterated the importance of supporting Gaza to confront the threat posed by Israel. He urged the public to remember the long history of Israeli atrocities: “Have we forgotten 75 years of killing Palestinians, displacing them, seizing the land and sanctities?”

Addressing criticisms that the resistance provoked conflict, he emphasized, “It is the resistance that drove Israel out of our land in the past... international resolutions did not expel Israel.” He characterized the ongoing confrontation as a global war against resistance, declaring, “This Zionist war is American, European, and global in nature, seeking to eliminate resistance in the region.”

Qassem expressed gratitude for Iran’s support, stating, “Iran understands the price it pays for its support of resistance,” and highlighted that Hezbollah is not fighting on behalf of any external party but is dedicated to defending Lebanon: “No one fights on our behalf, and we do not fight on behalf of anyone.”

The Hezbollah leader stated that recent military operations demonstrate the resolve of the resistance. He warned Israel, “You will surely be defeated because the land is ours, and our people are united around us. Leave our land to reduce your losses, or you will pay an unprecedented price.” He assured that the party would emerge from this confrontation stronger and victorious, affirming, “Just as we triumphed in July (2006), we will prevail now.”

“The enemy will not be able to rely on time because its losses are great, and it will be forced to stop its aggression,” Qassem stressed.

He indicated that any ceasefire would require acceptance of conditions deemed appropriate by Hezbollah, with negotiations pursued indirectly.

Hezbollah announced on October 29 that it has elected Naim Qassem, the deputy head of the group, as the successor to the late Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, who died in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburb over a month ago.

Qassem, 71, was appointed as Hezbollah's deputy chief in 1991 by the group's then-leader, Abbas Al-Musawi, who was killed in an Israeli helicopter strike the following year.

Qassem maintained his position when Nasrallah ascended to leadership and has been a prominent spokesperson for Hezbollah, frequently engaging with foreign media amid ongoing cross-border tensions with Israel over the past year.

Nasrallah was killed on September 27, and shortly thereafter, senior Hezbollah figure Hashem Safieddine — widely seen as a likely successor — was also killed in Israeli strikes a week later.

By Tamilla Hasanova